Teaching middle school or high school has its own set of challenges. These tips from veteran teacher Diane Knott can help prevent and overcome problems. Knott, a special education teacher at the Ramsey County Juvenile Detention Center, works for the St. Paul Public Schools and has mentored new teachers.

Getting parents involved
Experts say parental involvement is essential for student success. So how do we involve parents – particularly parents of middle and high school students?

Try catching students doing something good every week. Then mail postcards to the parents telling them about it.  It seems like a lot of work, but it helps you focus on what students do right in your classes. It is often a lifesaver if you have to negotiate a difficult situation later with that parent. Students appreciate that you took the time to recognize something they do well.

Tips for handling conflicts with parents
Conflicts with parents vary; there is no single solution that will resolve all conflicts. However, it’s usually not about you. If parents are angry, the most healing thing you can do is let them express their feelings. Feelings are not right or wrong; they are just feelings. Listen and note the issues. Ask questions. Show that you would like to understand their point of view.

After they have been heard and are calmer, you can begin to give them information they are missing (usually purposefully left out by their child) and redirect the conversation to how you will work as a team to ensure their child is successful. First-year teachers should seek out the assistance of an experienced colleague if possible, as this is difficult territory and teamwork is the best approach.

Building relationships with older students
Students value three things most in you as a teacher. First, they want honesty and respect. Don’t try to change to fit in with them, and don’t ask them to change to fit what you believe. Build mutual respect for each other.

Second, know your trade, know your subject and be honest if you don’t know. The better I know my content and pedagogy, the more students seem to respond to my teaching. I always say I don’t know if I don’t know, and try to find the answer if it is relevant.

The third and most important thing is to make sure they know you like teaching, you like them and you like teaching them. Be kind. It is the first thing they will remember about your class 20 years from now, and it will make that first year of teaching a bit more joyful for you.

Building professional relationships with colleagues
Focus on work, abstain from gossip and treat support personnel as valued customers. Play to their strengths, and support them where they’re weak. They are a part of a winning team. They deserve to have their contributions recognized and be treated as a valued member of your team. What they do to help you may make the difference between a truly awful and a truly amazing year.

Tips for managing stress
Even if you are a talented, creative teacher, there is no way you can do everything. You will enjoy your job more, and be enjoyed by colleagues and students more, if you can accept this fact. Do a few things well each day, and do your best on the rest.

Tame the paper tiger
Getting the required paperwork done is usually not going to make students learn more or make you a better teacher. However, if you don’t get it done, it will kill your love of teaching. Keep up with it, find a method that works for you, and use the serenity prayer: Accept the things you can’t change, have courage to change those you can, and have wisdom to know the difference. Try not to make more paperwork than you need to assess students and grade them fairly. Do what you need to do to assess your practice.